Apple Releases Supplemental Update For macOS Catalina

Apple has released a supplemental update to macOS Catalina (version 10.15.5). To download it, go to System Preferences and click Software Updates.

 macOS Catalina‌ 10.15.5 supplemental update provides important security updates and is recommended for all users,” according to the release notes. “Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices.”

Apple Releases macOS Catalina 10.15.5 With Battery Health Management Feature

Apple has released macOS Catalina 10.15.5 which sports a Battery Health Management feature. Here’s what the tech giant’s release notes say:

The battery health management feature in macOS 10.15.5 is designed to improve your battery’s lifespan by reducing the rate at which it chemically ages. The feature does this by monitoring your battery’s temperature history and its charging patterns.

Based on the measurements that it collects, battery health management may reduce your battery’s maximum charge when in this mode. This happens as needed to ensure that your battery charges to a level that’s optimized for your usage — reducing wear on the battery, and slowing its chemical aging.

The new version also fixes an issue where large data transfers to RAID volumes could cause Finder to become unresponsive. To download macOS Catalina 10.15.5, go to System Preferences and click Software Updates.

Apple Releases macOS Catalina 10.15.4 Supplemental Update For FaceTime Bug

Apple has released a supplemental update for macOS Catalina 10.15.4 that, per Apple, improves the stability and security of your Mac. 

According to the release notes the update:

* Fixes an issue where Mac computers running ‌macOS Catalina‌ 10.15.4 could not participate in ‌FaceTime‌ calls with devices running iOS 9.3.6 and earlier or OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 and earlier;

* Resolves an issue where you may repeatedly receive a password prompt for an Office 365 account;

* Fixes an issue where ‌MacBook Air‌ (Retina, 13-inch, 2020) may hang in Setup Assistant or when disconnecting and reconnecting a 4K or 5K external display; 

* Resolves an issue where a USB-C port in your Mac may become unresponsive.

To update go to System Preferences —> Software Update.

Apple Updates macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS And HomePod

Apple has updated macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, and its HomePod firmware. macOS Catalina 10.15.4 can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for free using the Update feature in the System Preferences app. According to Apple's release notes: 

macOS Catalina 10.15.4 introduces iCloud Drive folder sharing, Screen Time communications limits, Apple Music time-synced lyrics view, and more. The update also improves the stability, reliability, and security of your Mac 

Finder

iCloud Drive folder sharing from Finder

Controls to limit access only to people you explicitly invite or grant access to anyone with the folder link

Permissions to choose who can make changes and upload files and who can only view and download files

Screen Time

Communication limits for controlling who your children can communicate with and be contacted by throughout the day and during downtime

Playback control of music videos for your children

Music

Time-synced lyrics view for Apple Music, including the ability to jump to your favorite part of a song by clicking a line in lyrics view

Safari

Option to import Chrome passwords into your iCloud Keychain for easy AutoFill of your passwords in Safari and across all your devices

Controls for duplicating a tab and for closing all tabs to the right of the current tab

HDR playback support on compatible computers for Netflix content

App Store with Apple Arcade

Universal Purchase support enables the use of a singular purchase of a participating app across iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV

Recently played Arcade games appear in the Arcade tab so you can continue playing on iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV

Pro Display XDR

Customized reference modes that you can tailor to specific workflow needs by selecting from several color gamut, white point, luminance, and transfer function options

Accessibility

Head pointer preference for moving a cursor on the screen based on the precise movements of your head

This update also includes bug fixes and other improvements.

High Dynamic Range output to HDR10-compatible third-party displays and TVs connected with DisplayPort or HDMI

OAuth authentication support with Outlook.com accounts for improved security

CalDav migration support when upgrading to iCloud reminders on a secondary device

Resolves an issue where text copied between apps may appear invisible when Dark Mode is active

Fixes an issue in Safari where a CAPTCHA tile may display incorrectly

Resolves an issue where Reminders may send notifications for completed reminder

Fixes an issue with screen brightness for the LG UltraFine 5K display after waking from sleep

iOS and iPadOS have been upgraded to version 13.4. They can be over-the-air in the Settings app. To access the updates, go to Settings > General > Software Update. According to Apple's release notes, the upgrades:

iOS 13.4 introduces new Memoji stickers and iCloud Drive folder sharing from the Files app. This update also contains bug fixes and improvements.

Memoj 

Nine new Memoji stickers, including Smiling Face with Hearts, Hands Pressed Together, and Party Face

Files

iCloud Drive folder sharing from the Files app

Controls to limit access only to people you explicitly invite or grant access to anyone with the folder link

Permissions to choose who can make changes and upload files and who can only view and download files

Mail

Always-visible controls to delete, move, reply to, or compose a message in conversation view

Responses to encrypted emails are automatically encrypted when you have configured S/MIME

App Store with Apple Arcade

Universal Purchase support enables the use of a singular purchase of a participating app across iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV

Recently played Arcade games appear in the Arcade tab so you can continue playing on iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV

List view for See All Games

CarPlay

Third-party navigation app support for the CarPlay Dashboard

In-call information appears on the CarPlay Dashboard

Augmented Reality

AR Quick Look supports audio playback in USDZ files

Keyboard

Predictive typing support for Arabic

This update also includes bug fixes and other improvements. This update:

Adds status bar indicator to display when VPN has disconnected on iPhone models with all-screen displays

Fixes an issue in Camera where the viewfinder may appear as a black screen after launch

Addresses an issue where Photos may appear to use excess storage

Resolves an issue in Photos that may prevent sharing an image to Messages if iMessage is disabled

Fixes an issue in Mail where messages may appear out of order

Addresses an issue in Mail where the conversation list may display empty rows

Resolves an issue where Mail may crash when tapping the Share button in Quick Look

Fixes an issue in Settings where cellular data may incorrectly display as off

Addresses an issue in Safari where webpages may not be inverted when both Dark Mode and Smart Invert are active

Resolves an issue where text copied from web content may appear invisible when pasted when Dark Mode is activ 

Fixes an issue in Safari where a CAPTCHA tile may display incorrectly

Addresses an issue where Reminders may not issue new notifications for an overdue recurring reminder until it is marked as completed

Resolves an issue where Reminders may send notifications for completed reminders

Fixes an issue where iCloud Drive appears to be available in Pages, Numbers, and Keynote even when not signed in

Addresses an issue in Apple Music where music videos may not stream in high quality

Resolves an issue where CarPlay may lose its connection in certain vehicles

Fixes an issue in CarPlay where the view in Maps may move away briefly from the current area

Addresses an issue in the Home app where tapping an activity notification from a security camera may open a different recording

Resolves an issue where Shortcuts may not appear when tapping on the Share menu from a screenshot

Improves the Burmese keyboard so punctuation symbols are now accessible from numbers and symbols

Apple has also provided separate release notes for the iPadOS update, which are available below and cover all of the new mouse and trackpad features.

iPadOS 13.4 introduces support for mouse and trackpad with iPad for greater precision and navigating the system with Multi-Touch gestures, and adds iCloud Drive folder sharing from the Files app and new Memoji stickers. This update also contains bug fixes and improvements.

Mouse and Trackpad Support

All-new cursor design highlights app icons on the Home Screen and Dock and buttons and controls in app 

Magic Keyboard for iPad support on iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation or later) and iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation or later)

Magic Mouse, Magic Mouse 2, Magic Trackpad, Magic Trackpad 2, and third-party Bluetooth and USB mouse support

Multi-Touch gestures on Magic Keyboard for iPad and Magic Trackpad 2 enable you to scroll, swipe between app spaces, go Home, access App Switcher, zoom in or out, tap to click, secondary click (right-click), and swipe between pages

Multi-Touch gestures on Magic Mouse 2 enable you to scroll, secondary click (right-click), and swipe between pages

Files

iCloud Drive folder sharing from the Files app

Controls to limit access only to people you explicitly invite or grant access to anyone with the folder link

Permissions to choose who can make changes and upload files and who can only view and download files 

Memoji

Nine new Memoji stickers, including Smiling Face with Hearts, Hands Pressed Together, and Party Face

 Mail

Always-visible controls to delete, move, reply to, or compose a message in conversation view

Responses to encrypted emails are automatically encrypted when you have configured S/MIME

App Store with Apple Arcade

Universal Purchase support enables the use of a singular purchase of a participating app across iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV

Recently played Arcade games appear in the Arcade tab so you can continue playing on iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV

List view for See All Games

Augmented Reality

AR Quick Look supports audio playback in USDZ files

Keyboard

Live Conversion for Zhuyin automatically transforms Zhuyin into the correct characters without pressing the space bar to convert text or select candidates

Live Conversion for Japanese automatically transforms Hiragana into the correct characters without pressing the space bar to convert text or select candidates

Predictive typing support for Arabic

Swiss German keyboard layout supported on iPad Pro 12.9-inch

On-screen keyboard layout for iPad Pro 12.9-inch now matches Smart Keyboard

This update also includes bug fixes and other improvements. This update:

Fixes an issue in Camera where the viewfinder may appear as a black screen after launch

Addresses an issue where Photos may appear to use excess storage

Resolves an issue in Photos that may prevent sharing an image to Messages if iMessage is disabled

Fixes an issue in Mail where messages may appear out of order

Addresses an issue in Mail where the conversation list may display empty rows

Resolves an issue where Mail may crash when tapping the Share button in Quick Look

Fixes an issue in Settings where cellular data may incorrectly display as off

Addresses an issue in Safari where webpages may not be inverted when both Dark Mode and Smart Invert are active

Resolves an issue where text copied from web content in a third-party app may appear invisible when pasted if Dark Mode is active

Fixes an issue in Safari where a CAPTCHA tile may display incorrectly

Addresses an issue where Reminders may not issue new notifications for an overdue recurring reminder until it is marked as completed

Resolves an issue where Reminders may send notifications for completed reminders

Fixes an issue where iCloud Drive appears to be available in Pages, Numbers, and Keynote even when not signed in

Addresses an issue in Apple Music where music videos may not stream in high quality

Addresses an issue in the Home app where tapping an activity notification from a security camera may open a different recording

Resolves an issue where Shortcuts may not appear when tapping on the Share menu from a screenshot

Improves the Burmese keyboard so punctuation symbols are now accessible from numbers and symbols

Apple is also releasing iOS 12.4.6 for older iPhones, with the update adding security improvements.

watchOS 6.2 can be downloaded for free through the dedicated ‌‌Apple Watch‌‌ app on the iPhone by going to General > Software Update and following the instructions. Per Apple's release notes

watchOS 6.2 includes new features, improvements, and bug fixes:

Introduces in-app purchases for ‌‌Apple Watch‌‌ apps

Fixes an issue where music playback could pause when switching from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth connectivity

ECG app on ‌‌Apple Watch‌‌ Series 4 or later now available in Chile, New Zealand, and Turkey

Irregular heart rhythm notifications now available in Chile, New Zealand, and Turkey

tvOS 13.4 can be downloaded over the air through the Settings app on the ‌Apple TV‌ by going to System > Software Update. ‌Apple TV‌ owners who have automatic software updates turned on will be upgraded to tvOS 13.4 automatically. The upgrade provides support for the Powerbeats 4 earphones along with of bug fixes and improvements. 

According to Apple's release notes, ‌HomePod‌ Software Version 13.4 includes "general improvements for stability and quality.” The speaker should automatically update. If not:

• Make sure that your iOS device is updated to the latest version of iOS.
• On your iOS device, open the Home app and tap  the house icon in the upper-left corner.
• Tap Software Update.
• Tap Install. This will install the update on all of your HomePod speakers you have set up in your home.

macOS Catalina 10.15.3 Tweaks Apple Pro Display XDR And 16-Inch MacBook Pro

Apple has released macOS Catalina 10.15.3.  You can install it by going to System Preferences then Software Update. 

The ‌macOS Catalina‌ 10.15.2 update improves the stability, reliability and performance of your Mac and is recommended for all users. According to Apple’s release notes, it also offers updates for SDR workflow handling on the Pro Display XDR, as well as multi-stream video editing performance on the 16-inch MacBook Pro.

Apple Releases macOS Catalina 10.15.1

Apple has released macOS Catalina 10.15.1. You can install it by going to System Preferences then Software Update. Here are Apple’s release notes on the upgrade:

Emoji 

- Over 70 new or updated emoji, including animals, food, activities, new accessibility emoji, gender neutral emoji, and skin tones selection for couple emoji 

AirPods 

- Introduces support for AirPods Pro 

Home app 

- HomeKit Secure Video enables you to privately capture, store, and view encrypted video from your security cameras and features people, animal, and vehicle detection 

- HomeKit enabled routers let you control how your HomeKit accessories communicate over the internet or in your home 

- Adds support for AirPlay 2-enabled speakers in scenes and automations 

Siri 

- Privacy settings to control whether or not to help improve Siri and Dictation by allowing Apple to store audio of your Siri and Dictation interactions 

- Option to delete your Siri and Dictation history from Siri Settings 

This update also includes the following bug fixes and improvements: 

- Restores the ability to view file names in the All Photos view in Photos 

- Restores the ability to filter by favorites, photos, videos, edited, and keywords in Days view in Photos 

- Fixes an issue where Messages would only send a single notification when the option to repeat alerts was enabled 

- Resolves an issue that caused Contacts to launch to the previously opened contact instead of the contact list 

- Adds a two-finger swipe gesture for back navigation in Apple News 

- Resolves issues that may occur in the Music app when displaying playlists inside folders and newly added songs in the Songs list 

- Improves reliability of migrating iTunes library databases into the Music, Podcasts, and TV apps 

- Fixes an issue where downloaded titles were not visible in the Downloads folder in the TV app

macOS Catalina Is Available To Download For Mac Devices

macOS Catalina is now available as a free software update for Macs introduced in mid-2012 or later. It adds support for the new Apple Arcade service, new Mac versions of Apple Music, Apple Podcasts and Apple TV apps, a new feature called Sidecar, and more.

Three all-new apps — Apple Music, Apple Podcasts and Apple TV— replace iTunes. The new Music app is fast and features over 50 million songs, playlists and music videos. Users will have access to their entire music library and new music can still be purchased from the iTunes Store. 

Apple Podcasts offers more than 700,000 shows in its catalog and the option to automatically be notified of new episodes as soon as they become available. The app also features new show categories, curated collections and search tools to allow users to search episodes by current events, people and even phrases.

The Apple TV app brings together different ways to find and watch movies and TV shows into one app, and features Apple TV channels, personalized recommendations and over 100,000 iTunes movies and TV shows to browse, buy or rent. Apple TV+, Apple’s original video subscription service, will also be available in the Apple TV app for Mac starting Nov. 1.

The new Sidecar feature extends a user’s Mac workspace by using iPad as a second display. With Sidecar, you can use an iPad display for tablet input to draw, sketch or write with Apple Pencil in any Apple or third-party Mac app that supports stylus input. Sidecar runs on a wired connection so users can charge their iPad as they work, or on a wireless connection for greater mobility, using everything from illustration apps and video editing apps to 3D apps, like Photoshop, Illustrator and ZBrush.

macOS Catalina introduces accessibility features such as Voice Control, which allows users to control their Mac entirely with their voice. It uses the latest version of Siri to transcribe spoken text and enable editing text via voice. New numbers and grids provide the tools to interact with virtually any app;  audio processing happens entirely on device. 

For users with impaired vision, Hover Text displays high-resolution text in a dedicated window when hovering over text and UI elements, and Zoom Display keeps one monitor tightly zoomed in while another at the standard resolution.

Also available with macOS Catalina is Mac Catalyst, a new technology that lets app developers build Mac versions of their shipping iPad apps. Titles such as Twitter, GoodNotes, TripIt from SAP, Post-it, Morpholio Board, Rosetta Stone, Jira, and Proloquo2Go are either available now or will be coming soon.

macOS Catalina brings Screen Time to Mac for the first time. It lets users schedule time away from their Mac, whileApp Limits allow control over how much time users spend with specific apps, websites and categories of apps. With iCloud, Screen Time combines all usage and syncs Downtime settings and App Limits across devices. And with Family Sharing, Screen Time gives parents visibility for their kids’ activities across all of their Apple devices.

There are Security improvements in Catalina. The operating system now runs on a dedicated, read-only system volume, which means it is completely separate from all other data. Apple says nothing can accidentally overwrite critical operating system files. 

Gatekeeper, Apple’s technology to ensure only trusted software runs on a Mac, now checks all apps for known security issues, while new data protections require all apps to get permission before accessing user documents. 

Every Mac with the Apple-designed T2 Security Chip now supports Activation Lock, just like on iPhone or iPad, so if a Mac is ever misplaced or stolen, only the owner can erase and reactivate it. Approve with Apple Watch also lets users approve specific security prompts by simply tapping the side button on their Apple Watch.

The new Find My app combines Find My iPhone and Find My Friends into a single app. It can help users locate a missing Mac even if it’s offline and sleeping by sending out Bluetooth signals that can be detected by Apple devices in use nearby, and then relaying the detected location of the Mac to iCloud so a user can can locate it in the Find My app.

Photos now features a beautiful new browsing experience that intelligently showcases the user’s best pictures. Safari has an updated start page that uses Siri Suggestions to elevate frequently visited sites, bookmarks, iCloud tabs, Reading List selections and links sent in Messages.

Mail in macOS Catalina adds the ability to block email from a specified sender, mute an overly active thread and unsubscribe from commercial mailing lists. Notes now has a brand new Gallery View, more powerful search tools and additional collaboration options.

Reminders has been redesigned with an all-new user interface that makes it easier to create, organize and track reminders. macOS Catalina can be downloaded at the Mac App Store.

iOS 13, iPadOS 13 And watchOS 6 Coming On September 19, macOS Catalina Coming In October

iOS 13 and iPadOS 13 are coming on Thursday, September 19, along with watchOS 6. iOS 13.1 and iPadOS 13.1 are set to release on September 30, while macOS Catalina is coming sometime in October.

Apple Releases Third Public Betas For iOS 13, iPadOS, macOS Catalina And tvOS 13

Apple has released the third public betas for iOS 13 iPadOS, macOS Catalina and tvOS 13 . Remember that this is beta software, so proceed at your own risk. Apple does public betas in order to increase the size of the pool of testers. It’s recommended that you have a back-up of your files before installing any public beta.

Apple Releases Second macOS Catalina And tvOS 13 Public Betas

Apple has released the second macOS Catalina and tvOS 13 public betas for testing. 

The public betas are available on Apple's Beta Software Program website. Remember that this is beta software, so proceed at you’re own risk. Apple does public betas in order to increase the size of the pool of testers. It’s recommended that you have a back-up of your files before installing any public beta. The finished versions will arrive this fall.

Apple Releases First Public Beta Of macOS Catalina

Apple has released the first public beta of macOS Catalina. The public betas are available on Apple's Beta Software Program website. Remember that this is beta software, so proceed at you’re own risk. Apple does public betas in order to increase the size of the pool of testers. It’s recommended that you have a back-up of your files before installing any beta. macOS Catalina officially releases this fall.

The iTunes Store Isn’t Going Anywhere And Everything You Need To Know About The Upcoming iTunes Changes

The iTunes app is no more in macOS Catalina, and it’s left a lot of us with questions on how things will work going forward. Thankfully, Apple has created a support document that explains all of the upcoming changes.

As we already know, Apple is planning to split iTunes into three apps in macOS Catalina: Music, Podcasts, and TV. One of the most frequent questions concerns device management and syncing, which is currently done through iTunes. In Catalina, Apple is transitioning device management functionality to the Finder app, and when you plug an iOS device into your Mac, it will be listed as an available device on the left side of the window, with all of the same controls and information. 

The Music app is going to feature all of the music that you've imported or purchased, and don’t worry the iTunes Store is still going to be available in the Music app for making music purchases. Apple Music will also be available in the Music app right alongside your purchased music or other imported music. iTunes Music purchases will also continue to be available on iOS. Likewise, TV shows and Movies that you've purchased or rented from iTunes will be listed in the upcoming Apple TV app, and it will also be used for future purchases and rentals. All of your podcasts will be transitioned over to the Podcasts app, while audiobooks can be purchased and accessed in the Apple Books app for Mac. 

Last but not least, iTunes Gift Cards and iTunes credits will be usable in the new TV and Music apps and in the App Store. Looks like that’s the one thing that’s gone unchanged.  

The Dashboard Feature Is No More With macOS Catalina

The Dashboard feature for macOS will no longer be apart of the operating system starting with macOS Catalina.

The Dashboard option was first introduced in OS X 10.4 Tiger, housing sticky notes, a weather interface, a clock, a calculator, and other customizable widgets. It was disabled by default starting in macOS 10.10 Yosemite, and in the current version of macOS, Mojave, it's still disabled unless you seek it out, enabling it as part of Mission Control or adding it to the Dock. 

macOS Catalina Breaks Up iTunes, Let’s You Use Your iPad As A Second Display And More

Apple has revealed the next version of macOS, macOS Catalina. The upgrade will replace iTunes with Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and Apple TV apps.

A new Sidecar feature will enable users to extend their Mac desktop by using their iPad as a second display or as a high-precision input device across creative Mac apps. New security features keep users better protected and Voice Control lets users control their Mac entirely with their voice, according to Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering.

The new Music app offers users access to their entire music library, whether they downloaded the songs, purchased them or ripped them from a CD. For those who like to own their music, the iTunes Music Store is still around.

The Apple TV app features Apple TV channels, personalized recommendations and over 100,000 iTunes movies and TV shows to browse, buy or rent — so users can enjoy 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos-supported movies. The Watch Now section features Up Next, where viewers can keep track of what they are currently watching and resume on any screen. This fall, Apple TV+, Apple’s original video subscription service, will be available in the Apple TV app.

The Apple Podcasts app offers more than 700,000 shows in its catalog and the option to automatically be notified of new episodes as soon as they become available. The app also features new categories, curated collections by editors around the world and advanced search tools that can find episodes by host, guest or even discussion topic.

For users who sync their media to their devices using a cable, they can easily do so in the new entertainment apps, says Federighi. And when users connect a device to their Mac, it will immediately show up in the sidebar of Finder, enabling them to backup, update or restore their device.

With Sidecar, an iPad can be used as an extended display for Mac and a high-precision drawing tablet across supported Mac apps. For users on the go, Sidecar makes it easy to bring an extended display with them so they can spread their work out over two displays wherever they happen to be. 

When paired with an Apple Pencil, they can use their iPad to draw, sketch or write in any Mac app that supports stylus input. Sidecar is designed to work well as a tool for editing video with Final Cut Pro X, drawing with Adobe Illustrator or marking up iWork documents. And like all Continuity features, Sidecar can run on a wireless connection, so users can work with greater mobility.

With macOS Catalina, Apple is introducing new assistive technologies to help users get the most out of their Mac. Voice Control is a technology that enables users who can’t operate traditional input devices to control their Mac entirely with their voice using on-device Siri speech recognition technology.

New labels and grids let users interact with virtually any app using comprehensive navigation tools, with audio processing happening on-device. Voice Control is now also available on iOS and iPadOS, so users can control their device entirely with their voice, even gestures like tapping, swiping and scrolling.

With macOS Catalina, Gatekeeper now checks all apps for known security issues, while new data protections require all apps to get permission before accessing user documents. Approve with Apple Watch lets users approve many security prompts by simply tapping the side button on their Apple Watch. 

Now all Macs with the T2 Security Chip support Activation Lock to make them less attractive to thieves, says Federighi. And with the new Find My app, the location of a lost or stolen Mac can be securely and anonymously relayed back to its owner by other Apple devices, even when it is offline.

Screen Time on the Mac gives users insight into how they spend time in apps and on websites, and the tools to help decide how to spend their time. Screen Time is designed for the way people use their Mac, including a new “One more minute” feature that gives users more time to save their work or log out of a game. 

Users can schedule time away from their Mac and determine how much time they want to spend within apps, websites or categories of apps. With iCloud, users can sync Screen Time settings and combine their usage across iPhone, iPad and Mac privately through end-to-end encryption. And Family Sharing gives parents new tools to better manage their children’s device usage, including the ability to choose who their children can communicate with and when.

Also available with macOS Catalina are new application programming interfaces (APIs) and tools for developers to help them bring iPad apps over to the Mac. This is the feature previously discussed under the code name “Marizan.”

According to Federighi, additional app enhancements include:

• Photos features a new browsing experience that intelligently showcases the user’s best pictures.
  
• Safari has an updated start page that uses Siri Suggestions to elevate frequently visited sites, bookmarks, iCloud tabs, Reading List selections and links sent in Messages.
  
• Mail in macOS Catalina adds the ability to block email from a specified sender, mute an overly active thread and unsubscribe from commercial mailing lists.
  
• Notes now has a brand new Gallery View, more powerful search tools and additional collaboration options.
  
• Reminders has been redesigned with an all-new user interface that makes it easier to create, organize and track reminders.
  

The developer preview of macOS Catalina is available to Apple Developer Program members at developer.apple.com starting today, and a public beta program will be available to Mac users later this month at beta.apple.com. macOS Catalina will be available this fall as a free software update for Macs introduced in mid-2012 or later. For more information, visit apple.com/macos/catalina-preview. Features are subject to change. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages.